The Relationship Between Companion Animals and Loneliness Among Rural Adolescents

The relationship between loneliness and companion animal bonding was explored among 293 rural adolescents. Participants from two ethnically diverse southwestern high schools completed self-report measures of loneliness, pet ownership, companion animal attachment, and social support. Pet owners reported significantly lower loneliness scores than non-pet owners. Furthermore, companion animal bonding scores were inversely related to loneliness scores. Companion animal attachment was positively related to the number of humans in the social support network. The results of this study indicate that interventions promoting a pet relationship may be valuable in reducing loneliness among adolescents. The relationship between loneliness and companion animal bonding was explored among 293 rural adolescents. Participants from two ethnically diverse southwestern high schools completed self-report measures of loneliness, pet ownership, companion animal attachment, and social support. Pet owners reported significantly lower loneliness scores than non-pet owners. Furthermore, companion animal bonding scores were inversely related to loneliness scores. Companion animal attachment was positively related to the number of humans in the social support network. The results of this study indicate that interventions promoting a pet relationship may be valuable in reducing loneliness among adolescents. Uncertain Link Between Loneliness and Companion Animals in Rural AdolescentsJournal of Pediatric Nursing: Nursing Care of Children and FamiliesVol. 27Issue 4PreviewThe study by Black (2011) concluded that pets may be valuable in reducing loneliness among adolescents based on the finding that pet owners had lower loneliness scores. As appealing and logical as this conclusion may appear, there are a number of shortcomings in the study that prevent it from actually supporting this conclusion. Full-Text PDF